The opening game of the 2026 World Cup has been marred by violent scenes outside the stadium in Mexico City after protesters fought with riot police and a man suffered a serious medical emergency.
As the festivities got underway inside the iconic 87,000-seater Mexico City Stadium – usually named the Estadio Azteca – there were more unsavory scenes taking place away from the world’s glare just outside the gates.
The Daily Mail witnessed the carnage unfold, as protesters – some reportedly made up of the families of those missing in the Mexican drug war – attempted to breach the stadium and were forcibly pushed back by police.
Just 10 minutes before the start of the Mexico-South Africa tournament opener, hundreds of protesters approached the stadium from the north-east side, attempting to get into the inner ring of the stadium.
They threw flares and rocks at the police and smashed a lorry parked near the stadium. Riot police were quickly deployed from Gate C and pushed them back up the road they had arrived from, firing tear gas in the process.
On social media, the numbers were estimated at 2,000 protesters and approximately 300 riot police, plus a mounted unit at Gate 8 of the stadium.
Protesters attempt to breach the Mexico City stadium but are stopped by a line of riot police
A demonstrator waves a stick in front of riot police during violent protests outside the stadium
A police chief gives information to lines of riot police blocking protesters from getting past
Inside the stadium, the contrast was stark as Mexico scored an early goal in the opening game
As the carnage unfolded from outside, the cheering from the start of the game inside could be heard in stark contrast.
There was also another – unrelated – tragic incident reported outside the stadium, after video was shared online of a man who appeared to have suffered a heart attack.
The current condition of the man is unknown, but widely-shared clips showed him receiving CPR from a group of medics after he suffered the health emergency on his way into the stadium to watch the game.
After the game had kicked off and the initial violence outside had been quelled, lines of riot police were lined up inside the gates of the stadium to protect those inside.
An extra border of security was set up and the Daily Mail witnessed a police women, slipping in and out of consciousness, being taken away with a bleeding gash on her head.
Carnage erupted outside the Mexico City Stadium as protesters fought with riot police
The unsavory scenes unfolded as the first game of the World Cup kicked off just meters away
Ahead of the opening game it was reported that eight simultaneous protests had been planned around Mexico City, purposely coinciding with the start of the World Cup.
Per multiple reports, the groups expected to mobilize included heartbroken families of those affected by the ongoing drug war between the cartels and law enforcement, the CNTE (teachers’ union), Federal Judiciary workers, transport workers, healthcare workers, and farmers’ organizations.
There was a heavy police presence around the vicinity of the stadium as police anticipated unrest and attempted to shut it down quickly.
Inside the stadium, the World Cup got off to a flying start with an opening ceremony headlined by Shakira, before the team itself scored inside the opening 10 minutes of the game.
